Kaosritual – Svøpt Morgenrød
How long has it been since I heard a release that transported me back in time to the first year or two that I discovered Black Metal? So long that I fail to remember. Such an occurrence is a rare treat upon which to gorge. Svøpt Morgenrød is one such treat; imbued with early nineties underground production and the indescribable rawness and energy that made that time so compelling.
This Nidrosian three-piece demonstrate why Norway will always be the spiritual home of Black Metal.
‘Forbannelse’ kicks off with some eerie funeral organ music that could well be straight from a Hammer Horror classic but quickly bursts into a tumultuous riff at speed. Right on schedule a piercing high pitched wail slices the air in a welcoming gesture to Kaosritual’s arrid soily domain.
After a short time the riff enters a slower but more potent medium speed grimness. Deep scratchy vocals chunter away in limbo. At times the guitar work reminds me of moments on Setherial’s debut album. As the sign of excellent composition Kaosritual make the opening six minutes expire within what seems like moments.
‘Evig Svorne til Hov og Horn’ follows a similar pattern of fast riffage for the intro section then slowing down but this time it plunges into a superb stamping passage. Double bass drums lending serious weight to the song as it rumbles forward.
The title track is next and embodies the band’s name as it encompasses a dry metaphysical stink and totally believable ritualistic section with vocals to suit a summoning or other such invocation.
‘Djevelpakt og Trolldomsmakt’. Apart from the superlative title this is fucking superb. It begins with a riff laced with a homage to De Mysteriis…but injects the listener with another musical spell that is so nearly out of tune but all the more evocative of Witchcraft and dark arts for it. This is eleven minutes of sheer class finishing off the album.
Sadly Kaosritual are no more and the bass player, Mehimoloth, a prominent member of many Nidrosian bands, died in 2009 from a gunshot wound. Its a shame but at least this band have left a legacy for the underground that can still be savoured and enjoyed.
Black Metal is dead. In the UK at least. Seeing as though it is the place that gave birth to the genre it is as fuckin’ useless a broke-dick dog. There is no scene to speak of, just the odd one or two equally useless bands trying in vain to mimic some of the more [...]
Opening with a song title of the length Bal Sagoth would be proud of (thankfully that’s as the only comparison to draw), the imaginatively titled ‘A Glimpse of the Image of Lucifer Gleaming Beyond the Subterraneous Black Sun’ marches forth. Mid paced, it stamps away with the precision of a well oiled Black Metal machine [...]
for those interested :http://www.myspace.com/kaosritual
Thanks Kratos, I’ve added that link to the review.
very raw, underground sound.. and yes, it sounds VERY norwegian, like old days.. I was in the mood for some true BM, thanks Waffen for all these great bands.. will continue tomorrow with more stuff from your list..